Blanche & Lucy Visit Durango, Colorado

As we left Mesa Verde we entered Colorado through Pagosa Springs -  and suddenly we could smell and see a thick smoke that we felt certain was burning timber.

We later learned that there was a raging fire in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  Fortunately we only experienced the fringes of it for a short drive.  We later learned that this was a small forest fire and that the fire fighters got this one under control quickly while the biggest fire still rages in the Fort Collins area north of the Denver area.

As we drove further north into Colorado - the air cleared and we saw the blue skies again we pulled over to take a good deep breath of clean air.

As we drove along highway 260 in Colorado we were graced with that wonderful expanse of Colorado sky that we love so much.

As we entered the Durango area we found a very colorful and 'artsy' RV that reminded us of a very good friend's trailer and car.

We loved taking the time to read all the interesting stickers and signs - note all the crucifixes  (side and back) seems they travel with God and preach the word as well along the road.

 

I know Dandelions are weeds - but we haven't seen dandelions since we left New England - so these were a welcome sight.

We don't usually camp at KOA campgrounds anymore as there are usually tons of families and screaming kids which make Blanche and Lucy a bit nervous - but this one was right in Durango so it made life easier to stay here for a couple of nights.

One of the nicer features of this KAO was this little Kitchen Kaboose - which made free pancakes every morning with coffee and you could order dinner to go from here - so we got a Pizza one night after a full day of visiting the area.

On our ride to the little town of Durango we enjoyed the beauty of the Colorado mountains - yes that's snow you see - we were at about 8000 ft elevation and those peaks were probably around 12 to 14k ft.

The Architecture in Durango is beautiful - they have restored not destroyed.

This is a Historic Plaque (one of many that they have around town explaining the buildings that we are looking at)- this one is an explanation of the building above - a bank in the 1900s and a bank now.

Many of the historical buildings are now retail spaces - as this one is....

And this building that was the Wall Drug is now a Cafe - Olde Tymer's Cafe.

Blanche & Lucy thought this 'cowgirl' had treats in her lap....

The Diamond Belle Saloon was quite the night spot in it's time... now they still serve a mean martini and the waitresses dress in saloon girl outfits.  Every evening they have ragtime piano playing in the lounge area.

The Diamond Belle Saloon is in this lovely restored building which is now the Strater Hotel.

And of course we found many interesting Wine Bars on our walk through Durango.

We stopped by the Durango Railroad Depot to see where the Train to Silverton was leaving from.  We decided to postpone our trip on the Durango Silverton train till the autumn when the fall colors will be at their best.  Also the trains were very crowded this month because the kids had just gotten out of school and in October when we will return there will be fewer folks.

Today the Dinosaur Train was running complete with the Dino Conductor and the Dino Engineer - which was a great hit with the kids.

We watched as the Durango to Silverton train left the station.

As the train loaded with passengers left the station and headed to Silverton - we climbed into our car with Blanche & Lucy and drove to Silverton to meet the train in the notorious Blair St section of Silverton.